Whether you are surfing through listings on Zillow, Trulia, or Realtor.com, most home searches begin online.
Beginning Your Northern Virginia Home Search
While searching for your home on real estate databases is a great way to begin your Northern Virginia home search, there are other platforms you should investigate as well. Public information such as crime rates and property history are crucial for your decision-making; luckily enough, this information is very accessible.
Before calling your real estate agent to set up a showing, use the sites below to do a little homework.
Google Maps
Google Maps is a fantastic tool for gaining insight into a neighborhood.
You can take a virtual walk around any neighborhood using Google Maps Street View. Stand in front of the home you are interested in and check out the houses next to it.
Using Google Earth, you can gain insight into the surrounding area of the neighborhood. What do the roads and front yard landscaping look like? The home you are interested in may have excellent curb appeal, but if others on your street have funky front yards, that can affect the resale value. You can also check out local grocery stores, parks, and schools.
Public Records
You may want to know more about the home's history beyond the minimal details provided, especially if it is an older home, before you make such a substantial investment.
By checking public information on the home you are interested in, you get a complete picture of the house, not just what you read on the listing.
Tracemyhouse.com is an excellent resource for homebuyers.
This insightful tool helps homebuyers find a land registry, search maps, and other historical documentation.
This service originated in the U.K. but has expanded to the U.S.
Property records are public information. You can discover sales history, original square footage, and chain of ownership through these records.
The Virginia Public Records allows homebuyers to find recorded documents like tax records and deeds.
Trulia Neighborhoods
Trulia Neighborhoods is an excellent way to expand your research while house hunting.
Trulia allows you to explore a neighborhood to decide if it fits you. Look at pictures of everything from parks, side streets, and home styles.
Explore restaurants, cafes, grocery stores, and nightlife.
Trulia has a "What Locals Say" section which gives a score for features like whether it is dog friendly or a good neighborhood to walk alone at night.
Trulia Neighborhoods is an especially great tool for those relocating from a different state or country.
Neighborhood Scout
Neighborhood Scout provides Northern Virginia home buyers crime statistics, school ratings, demographics, and the top 10 highest appreciating Virginia cities since 2000.
Neighborhoods Scout also allows home buyers to compare crime rates to other communities in Virginia, as well.
Finding the Right Home
Buying a home is likely one of your most significant investments, and you must find the right fit. When you invest in a home, you also invest in the neighborhood.
Please get in touch with us if you are moving to a Northern Virginia neighborhood and would like to know more about it or our affordable real estate process.
